Meter Readers, Utilities

Most exposed tasks

Highest structured exposure values in this role’s task mix — the work AI systems can already do most of.

• Upload into office computers all information collected on hand-held computers during meter rounds, or return route books or hand-held computers to business offices so that data can be compiled.80
• Update client address and meter location information.70

Augmentable tasks

Work where AI assists rather than replaces — the productivity frontier of this role.

• Read electric, gas, water, or steam consumption meters and enter data in route books or hand-held computers.55
• Report lost or broken keys.50
• Leave messages to arrange different times to read meters in cases in which meters are not accessible.45

Most durable tasks

Lowest exposure — typically judgment, relationships, physical presence, or accountability. This is the human moat.

• Walk or drive vehicles along established routes to take readings of meter dials.15
• Connect and disconnect utility services at specific locations.15
• Perform preventative maintenance or minor repairs on meters.15

Task exposure values and classifications are published, versioned estimates audited against the anchored rubric. This page reads them from the data release rather than generating them at request time. Bars show exposure contribution relative to this role’s task mix.

What this means

A score of 41 puts Meter Readers, Utilities in the third quartile of analyzed occupations. In practice, exposure this high is about the mix: 2 of 12 analyzed tasks lean automatable, 5 augmentable, and 5 durable. The useful question isn’t “will AI take this job” — it’s which tasks go first, which get faster, and where to reposition time. That’s what the personalized report maps against your actual week.

Lower-exposure adjacent roles

Shown only when the target is at least 10 points lower under the same score version and skill overlap is at least 50%. These are adjacent roles with lower task exposure — not guaranteed “safe careers”.

Labor-market context

• $48,150median wage
• 19,430employed
• 1,300annual openings
• -11.9%projected growth

Context only — labor statistics are not inputs to the exposure score. See methodology.

Related roles

Adjacent by skills or family — no exposure claim implied.

• Power Distributors and Dispatchers 33
• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment 36
• Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment 24
• Power Plant Operators 32
• Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers 34
• Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators 24

How this score was calculated

FAQ — Meter Readers, Utilities

Will AI replace Meter Readers, Utilities?

This score cannot predict whether this occupation or any individual job will be replaced. It shows which tasks current and near-term AI can perform or accelerate, which tasks remain more durable, and where a worker can adapt. Employer decisions, demand, regulation, and how the role changes are outside the score.

What does a score of 41 mean for a Meter Readers, Utilities?

It means that, weighted across the 12 tasks we analyzed for this role, the task mix sits at 41 on a 0–100 exposure scale — in the third quartile of analyzed occupations. It measures task exposure to current and near-term AI capabilities, not the probability of losing a job.

Which tasks in this role are most exposed to AI?

The highest-exposure tasks are: Upload into office computers all information collected on hand-held computers during meter rounds, or return route books or hand-held computers to business offices so that data can be compiled; Update client address and meter location information. Exposure comes from the published, rubric-scored data release rather than being generated when you open this page.

Which parts of this job are most durable?

The most durable responsibilities are: Walk or drive vehicles along established routes to take readings of meter dials; Connect and disconnect utility services at specific locations; Perform preventative maintenance or minor repairs on meters. Durable tasks typically depend on judgment, relationships, physical presence, or accountability.

Is this score personalized to me?

No — this page shows the occupation-level baseline. Two people with the same title often do different work. The $9 personalized report recalculates the score from the tasks you actually do and builds a concrete 7/30/90-day plan around them.